"Under my direction, the District Attorney's Office has never prosecuted a legitimate patient for simply possessing marijuana."

It'll take me a while longer to really parse it and point out where her statements veer from the record. I figure I'd just post the statement now and watch the medical-marijuana community flip their shit: ---

UPDATE4:00 P.M.

A few points worth noting right off the bat:

Last year, the San Diego County Grand Jury investigated the issue and found that Dumanis had not published guidelines to help collectives comply with the law and provided no forum for engagement with the operators of legitimate collectives.

The District Attorney did in fact prosecute Donna Lambert, a well-known medical marijuana advocate and cancer survivor who also suffers from Hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Of course the devil's in the details: Lambert was accused of also providing marijuana to an undercover officer who had a doctor's recommendation.

Statement from Mayoral Candidate

Bonnie Dumanis Clarifying

Position on Medical Marijuana

A lot ofimportant issues are being discussed as part of the race for San Diego Mayor,but I am often asked about my position on one issue in particular-- medicalmarijuana. Just as often, I see a look of surprise and skepticism when Itell people that I absolutely support the legitimate, legal use of marijuanafor medicinal purposes.

I have known friendssuffering from debilitating, and sometimes fatal, diseases whose only relieffrom nausea or lack of appetite was marijuana. The law provides for thecompassionate, medicinal use of marijuana and I support it. Let me saythat again: I support the legitimate, lawful use of medical marijuana.In spite of being onthe record with my support for years, many people have been led to believe I donot support the use of medicinal marijuana. News stories have labeled meas a "medical marijuana opponent." Unfortunately, the opinionof a few has become the misperception of some.As District Attorney, Ihave had a very specific role--to enforce the law. I don't make arrests,I don't target medical marijuana dispensaries and I don't choose who gets shutdown. The law simply requires me to file charges in the cases of illegaldrug sales that the police department brings to our office. Under mydirection, the District Attorney's Office has never prosecuted a legitimatepatient for simply possessing marijuana.But let me be clear. What I do not support is drug dealers hiding behind Proposition 215 to sellmarijuana for profit to people who don't need it for medical reasons, sellingto our children and even selling to people who have prescriptions in the namesof their pets. There are many examples where flagrant violators of thelaw hide shamefully behind a poorly written initiative and law. It's justnot legal to sell marijuana for profit, whether it's out of a storefront or ona street corner.

The specific issue ofmedical marijuana storefronts could soon be moot in the near future because marijuanaremains an illegal Schedule I controlled substance under federallaw, which trumps state law. As the U.S. Attorney has warned, thefederal government will seize the assets of local,"for profit" stores that engage in illegal drug trafficking under theguise of providing medical marijuana. Regardless of whathappens to the storefronts, the City of San Diego will still have to wrestlewith how to comply with the spirit of the law. Some of those who needmedicinal marijuana are the sickest and neediest among us. It's importantthat they are provided with legitimate access. That's what Californiansintended and voted for when they passed the law.As Mayor, I will bringall levels of government together, trying to coordinate a lasting, legalsolution. I will leverage my long-standing relationships with lawenforcement, business leaders and community activists to bring differing ideasand viewpoints to the table. And I will work with the City Council topass an ordinance that allows for implementation of Proposition 215 in a waythat offers compassion to those who need it, but also protects ourchildren and our neighborhoods.I encourage voters toseek out the positions of my opponents on medical marijuana. We are at acrossroads, in part because the original voter-approved proposition and thesubsequent Senate Bill were both poorly written laws that continue to needclarification through additional state legislation. Voters passed theCompassionate Use Act 15 years ago. This has been going on too long forus not to get it right.